Discharge

1. Has the patient/ relatives made adequate arrangements for travel to/ care at home?

2. Check take home medication has been prescribed and is available on the ward, including any pre-existing medication.

3. Ensure follow-up arrangements have been organized.

4. Occasionally it may be necessary to give the patient a copy of the discharge summary for the GP, if, for example, sutures are to be removed before the next available out-patient appointment.

5. Check that all results of relevant investigations have been seen and checked. If a result is outstanding, then make sure that you chase it up prior to the OPD appointment.

6. Check radiographs of post-op osteotomies and fractures have been taken!

Don’t let your patients escape too soon!

Before the patient is discharged from the ward: